John Henry Flemer passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025 with his wife JoAnne and his family by his side. He was 80 years old.
Born in Springfield NJ to Albert B. and Helen B. Flemer, John was a lifelong resident of New Jersey before relocating to Naples, FL in 2015. As a child, he relocated to
Holmdel, NJ where he spent much of his life. He graduated from Red Bank Regional High School in 1964 and went on to earn his Bachelors in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley University in 1968.
John was a patriot who proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, 1st Cavalry Division – Airmobile, during the Vietnam War, from December 1968 to September 1970. Throughout his service, John earned 3 Bronze Star Medals and 1 Air Medal for his valiant efforts. Following his service, he returned to his roots to lead F & F Nurseries, a fourth-generation family business, alongside his father and brother. A dedicated nurseryman, he ultimately served as President of F&F and expanded the business into the tri-state area, working the land for over 60 years before his retirement. His leadership also extended to the wider industry, where he served as President of the Nurseryman ' s Association.
John was not a man to sit still. He was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Holmdel Agricultural Committee and as a volunteer firefighter for the Holmdel Fire Company for many years. An avid boater and lover of the water, he served on the Board of the SRYC (Shrewsbury River Yacht Club) and held the title of Fleet Captain. John also served on several condo boards including Grand Pointe in Sea Bright, NJ and Secret Harbor in St Thomas, USVI where he and JoAnne spent many Februarys enjoying much needed vacations before the ground thawed and planting season would once again begin.
Later in life, in his well-deserved retirement, John found great joy on the golf course, achieving the rare feat of two Holes-in-One: first in Florida in 2018 at his home course, and again at Charleston Springs, NJ, in June of 2025. He was a well-loved and respected member of the Pelican Marsh Golf Club. He was a very humble man, of a few well-chosen words, and has touched the hearts of so many. He will truly be missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife, JoAnne M. Flemer, his children Paul Tevald (Monica), Jennifer Kenah (Mark), Julie Marchese, and Jennifer Brill (James), and his cherished grandchildren Nora and Skylar Marchese, Mark Kenah Jr. and Daisy Brill. He also leaves behind his brother and sisters, Albert Flemer (Marlene), Suzanne Padgett (Roger), and Holly Roth, and brother-in-law Lawrence Battaglia (Felicia) and sisters-in-law Diane Lepore (Billy) and Linda Barlotta (Dennis) along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 8 from 9am – 12pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Funeral Home Service will be offered at 12 noon. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery & Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St Jude in John ' s memory:
http://events.stjude.org/JohnFlemer
For messages of condolences, or to share a favorite memory of John, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com